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"The Executor" is a short story by Margaret Oliphant, published in 1861 in Blackwood's Magazine. It is the first story in the Carlingford Chronicles series, dealing with the lives of various inhabitants of a fictional town in England.

Plot

After old Mrs Thomson's funeral, her will causes an upset for Mrs Christian (who expected to inherit Mrs Thomson's property). Instead, the will stipulates that Mr John Brown, the Carlingford attorney, is to find out the whereabouts of Mrs Thomson's estranged daughter Phoebe, who is to inherit.

Characters

• Mrs Thomson, an old woman, deceased at the start of the story, with a surprisingly large fortune
• The Christians, next-of-kin to Mrs Thomson, and expected to inherit her fortune. Mr Christian is an invalid and Mrs Christian is sorely disappointed by their being passed over. They have two children: Bess, who supports the family as a music teacher, and an unnamed son in India.
• John Brown, a middle-aged attorney and unwilling executor of Mrs Thomson's will
• Nancy, servant to Mrs Thomson
• Dr Rider, a young surgeon in love with Bess

Summary

The townspeople gathered in Mrs Thomson's house after her funeral are surprised by the odd stipulations of her last will and testament. It stipulates that attorney John Brown is to make every reasonable effort to trace Mrs Thomson's estranged daughter, Phœbe, who will inherit her fortune of twenty thousand pounds. If Brown fails to trace Phœbe after three years, he is to inherit everything instead.

This causes an upset, particularly for Mrs Christian (Mrs Thomson's next-of-kin) and her family. Mr Christian is an invalid, their son is in India, and their young daughter Miss Bess Christian is the family's breadwinner, teaching children music. In her anxiety, Mrs Christian is rude and agitated towards the other townspeople. Having anticipated the inheritance, Bess had given her pupils a long holiday, and once her misfortune is revealed, the pupils' families have already made alternate arrangements.

Meanwhile, Dr Rider, a young surgeon in love with Bess, is also disappointed in her family's misfortune, as he cannot support her whole family on his income. Mr Brown the attorney, as suprised as anyone else, is additionally aggravated by the unwanted responsibility. At the same time, he is attracted by the possibility of himself inheriting the fortune; however, he resolves to act responsibly and honourably in attempting to trace Phœbe.

Nancy, Mrs Thomson's longtime servant, is scornful of the Christians, and expects to continue living in Mrs Thomson's house and take possession of her fine clothes. However, Mr Brown disabuses her of this notion. Nancy tells Mr Brown all she can recollect of Phœbe, who married a soldier against her mother's wishes thirty-five years ago, and was never heard from since then, except for one visit when her mother refused to see her.

A year later, the subject has ceased to be of interest to the townspeople. Despite many inquiries, advertisements and follow-ups, Mr Brown is unable to trace Phœbe. Nancy is made to retire, disappointed, with the clothes and a moderate pension.

Bess Christian, unable to get steady work in Carlingford, has gone to London in hopes of a governess position. Mr Brown, also on a visit, runs into her by chance and requests to speak with her. Remorseful of her family's situation, and having previously felt lonely in his solitary rooms, he surprises himself and Bess by proposing to her, which she eventually accepts. Phœbe never appears; Mrs Christian at last takes possession of the house she had expected to inherit, and Bess enlivens Mr Brown's life.

External links

The Executor at Project Gutenberg